Adoption - An Adoptive Mom's Perspective

Chad and Angela were foster parents of their children for 3 years before finalizing their adoption in May of 2019. This mini Q&A digs into their perspective from their experience.

Q: What led you to adoption?

A: Chad and I had our first conversation about Foster Care about 3 weeks into our relationship.

We knew that we wanted to provide a safe environment for kiddos that were in need. As fate would have it, we were given the chance to adopt our first family that had come into our care. Our kids’ mom graciously made the heart-wrenching decision to terminate her rights, knowing that the kids were in our care. She wanted us to become their adoptive parents. We were really excited to grow our family through adoption.

Q: What have you learned about adoption?

A: Adoption is different for each child, even if they are siblings.

Some of our kids were really excited to make it official and become a forever family. Others weren’t sure how they felt. Ultimately, it is a different process with different emotions for everyone involved.

Q: How is it different than you thought it would be?

A: We have learned that adoption for a child doesn’t always mean that there is a happy ending.

Even though there is so much love and stability, sometimes it isn’t enough to battle the grief that comes along with it.

Q: What have been the best things about adoption for you?

A: Watching our kids grow and change and become confident in themselves.

Seeing them recognize their self-worth and realizing that they can do anything that they put their mind to is so rewarding.

Q: What advice would you give to others who are considering adoption?

A: The identity piece is HUGE.

This is true in any adoption, but I am going to speak on mixed race or mixed culture adoptions. Please let your kids explore their culture. Buy books, dolls, and magazines. Hang pictures. Introduce them to different foods, clothes, and music. Do whatever you can to help them learn about and maybe relate to or feel a part of their culture.